“This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.” – Matthew 11:10
Four hundred years had passed by, since the Israelites had heard a word from the Lord. Prior to that was the age of the prophets: Isaiah, Daniel, Jeremiah, Ezekial, Zechariah, Malachi (just to name a few). They would speak the Lord’s will to kings and priests and interpret dreams and visions. Malachi was the final prophet of the Old Testament, and the final word from the Lord communicated through Malichi was, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” (Malachi 4:5-6)
Generation after generation had passed on the words of Abraham and Jacob, Joseph, King David, Isaiah and Daniel. With each passing of generations over that 400 year span one can imagine that their hearts were hardening little by little. Their desire was heavy for the Lord to speak with them once again and give them a message of salvation. Some 430 years after Malichi’s final words were written, God sent John the Baptist as His messenger to the people. Their desire and thirst for a word from God drew them to the wilderness where John baptized them with water. The drought appeared to be over and God was once again speaking with His people.
I’m sure the people were looking to John as if he were Elijah. He spoke with directness, truth and anger from the Lord. Challenging the wickedness of the people, who had fallen far from God’s righteousness. He chastised the pompous leaders for their debauchery and perversions of God’s truth. God’s voice of repentance was preached loud and clear through this man in the wilderness. I can envision the lines of people standing near the water’s edge, listening to him and questioning, could this be the Messiah.
We read the scriptures which tell us in the Old Testament and the New Testament that God would send a messenger before He sent the Messiah. Jesus Christ birth shortly followed John the Baptist’s birth. So when He came forth and proclaimed Himself as the Son of God, why did the people question it? We are on the back side of history now and read how this story played out. Yet still many are blind to the truth that is revealed through the prophecies and scriptures. Nearly 2000 years have passed since Jesus Christ walked the earth. Since that time, the Holy Spirit has walked with mankind as our comforter, healer, helper and counselor.
Hearing from God is available to you and I every moment of every day, should we chose to receive it.
Prayer:Generation after generation had passed on the words of Abraham and Jacob, Joseph, King David, Isaiah and Daniel. With each passing of generations over that 400 year span one can imagine that their hearts were hardening little by little. Their desire was heavy for the Lord to speak with them once again and give them a message of salvation. Some 430 years after Malichi’s final words were written, God sent John the Baptist as His messenger to the people. Their desire and thirst for a word from God drew them to the wilderness where John baptized them with water. The drought appeared to be over and God was once again speaking with His people.
I’m sure the people were looking to John as if he were Elijah. He spoke with directness, truth and anger from the Lord. Challenging the wickedness of the people, who had fallen far from God’s righteousness. He chastised the pompous leaders for their debauchery and perversions of God’s truth. God’s voice of repentance was preached loud and clear through this man in the wilderness. I can envision the lines of people standing near the water’s edge, listening to him and questioning, could this be the Messiah.
We read the scriptures which tell us in the Old Testament and the New Testament that God would send a messenger before He sent the Messiah. Jesus Christ birth shortly followed John the Baptist’s birth. So when He came forth and proclaimed Himself as the Son of God, why did the people question it? We are on the back side of history now and read how this story played out. Yet still many are blind to the truth that is revealed through the prophecies and scriptures. Nearly 2000 years have passed since Jesus Christ walked the earth. Since that time, the Holy Spirit has walked with mankind as our comforter, healer, helper and counselor.
Hearing from God is available to you and I every moment of every day, should we chose to receive it.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your messenger and voice in the wilderness. Thank You for loving us enough to send Your Holy Spirit to dwell within us and guide our footsteps each day. Help us to hear His words and trust in His guidance in our daily walk. Your voice is never far to those of us that believe. Teach me to trust, and walk in Your light. In Your name we pray – Amen
http://www.10minutereader.com©Sondove Enterprises, 2011
No comments:
Post a Comment